A few moments of eating at the hotel

The incident took place last Saturday at Maubon Hotel and Restaurant in Kacharibazar of the city. The Harijan Adhikar Organization has made a human chain today in protest against this. Raja Basfor, Vice President Raju Basfor, General Secretary Saju Basfor, Adviser Shabaron Basfor, Liton Basfor and others addressed the human chain-meeting at Kacharibazar in the city around 2 pm. Bangladesh Nari Mukti Kendra member Kamrunnahar Khanam Shikha, Basad District Convenor Anwar Hossain Bablu spoke in solidarity. It may be noted that the main occupation of the Harijan community, locally known as sweepers, is cleaning. They usually clean sewers and latrines. On inquiry about the incident, it is known that Jeeban Basfour, a school student from the Harijan community, went to eat at Moubon Hotel and Restaurant in Kacharibazar of the city last Saturday. The hotel officials and employees pushed him out. At the same time, on the pad of the institution, the word 'Sweepers are not allowed to eat in this hotel' was written and handed over to him. Leaders of the Harijan community filed a complaint with the police seeking justice in this incident.

This was discussed with Jiban Basfour, a victim of Class IX who is a resident of Kacharibazar area. He said, 'I went to have breakfast at Moubon Hotel in Kacharibazar around 7 o'clock on Saturday evening. At that time, some employees including the manager of Maubon Hotel pushed me out. After that they abused me in unspeakable language saying that Harijan community people are not allowed to eat in that hotel. He wrote on the pad of the hotel, "Sweepers are not allowed to eat in this hotel" and signed it. When asked about this complaint, Rajiv Hossain, the officer in charge of Maubon Hotel, said this evening, "If the customers sit and eat with the Harijan community, then we do not have a problem." Our profit is only if the sales increase. According to my knowledge, Harijan community people do not sit and eat in any hotel in Rangpur city. If the Hotel Owners Association allows them to sit and eat in the hotel, then we have no objection. And Saturday's incident is not with us. The Harijan student was handcuffed by other customers who had written "Harijans are not allowed to eat" on a hotel pad.

Talked to some local people about this. They were asked if they would mind eating with any Harijan community in the hotel. There has been a mixed response to this question. Many said, they have no objection. However, if a known member of the Harijan community is seen eating in a hotel, no one else wants to sit at that table. On the condition of anonymity, some said, if Harijans also come to the hotel clean and tidy, then they have no problem eating together. However, even though it is tidy, a few objected to sit and eat with known Harijans. Here no Harijan usually eats in hotels. They pack food. It may be noted that the main occupation of the Harijan community, locally known as sweepers, is cleaning. They usually clean sewers and latrines.

When asked about this complaint, Maubon Hotel official Rajeev Hossain said this evening, "If the customers sit and eat with the Harijan community, then we don't have a problem." Our profit is only if sales increase. According to my knowledge, Harijan community people do not sit and eat in any hotel in Rangpur city. If the Hotel Owners Association allows them to sit and eat in the hotel, then we have no objection. And Saturday's incident is not with us. The Harijan student was handed over by other customers who had written "Harijans are forbidden to eat" on the hotel pad. Today, the speakers in the human chain said that the constitution of the country mentions equal rights for all citizens. But this society is discriminating Harijans as lower class, depriving them of their rights.

My best wishes and congratulations to all the users who will visit this post of mine today.

I am Md. Kibria Hossain. I live in Kamarkhali village of Gangni Thana, Meherpur District, Khulna Division, Bangladesh. My best wishes and congratulations to you all. I will try my best to take the Blurt platform to greater heights in the future. I am currently a 12th standard student. My mother tongue is Bengali. I love to speak and write in Bengali. Most of all I like to do photography. I spend most of my time traveling around. Among few hobbies my main hobby is traveling to different places. In brief I have shared my identity with you. Everyone pray for me. I wish you all the best.